GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Parents eager to schedule an early delivery date for their baby may just have to learn a little patience.

The rate of early elective deliveries has dropped dramatically, as more hospitals ban them to protect the health of the baby. The national rate dropped for the third year in a row, hitting the target rate of less than 5 percent for the first time, according to a report released Monday, March 3, by the Leapfrog Group.

In 2010, 17 percent of births were scheduled early. By 2013, the rate dropped to 4.6 percent.

In that same time, Michigan’s rate dropped from 14.3 percent to 3.4 percent.

“We are meant to cook that long, and we shouldn’t mess with Mother nature,” said Joan Rikli, director of neonatal intensive care services at Spectrum Health.

SEE THE REPORT

State figures and individual hospital’s rates of early elective deliveries are available through the Leapfrog Group.

Grand Rapids hospitals have joined the national movement resisting pressure from parents and physicians who want to induce labor before 39 weeks. They have shown steep drops in early elective delivery rates from 2012 to 2013:

Mercy Health Saint Mary’s: from 5.9 percent to zero

Metro Health: from 4.3 percent to 2.2 percent

Spectrum Health: from 14.1 percent to 3.3 percent

At Saint Mary’s, the staff has worked for several years to prevent early deliveries if there is not a medical reason.

“We know it’s safer for our babies,” said Linda Foster, clinical nurse manager of the birth center. “We do not do any medical inductions less than 39 weeks.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has advised against early scheduled deliveries for more than 30 years. In 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Partnership for Patients identified the issue as a top priority. The March of Dimes and the National Business Group on Health also have campaigned against early scheduled births.

Inducing labor or performing a Cesarean section before 39 weeks raises the risk of respiratory problems for the baby, Rikli said. By staying in the womb a bit longer, the baby can put on a little extra fat, which can help stabilize blood sugar, and the lungs develop more.

The reasons behind requests for an early delivery include the mother’s discomfort or to accommodate a vacation schedule – so a certain doctor could be available to deliver the baby, Rikli said. Some want to have a baby delivered by the end of the year for tax reasons.

“Now, you cannot get an elective C-section or an elective induction on the books to be done until the woman is 39 weeks,” she said.

Early deliveries are allowed only if there is a medical reason – such as high blood pressure or signs or infection. Any requests without a medical reason must be approved by the medical director.

Saint Mary’s has gone 45 months without an early elective delivery, Foster said. She was unsure why Leapfrog listed the hospital having a 5.9 percent rate in 2012. Leapfrog says the 2012 number was based on deliveries in 2011.

The change in policy required education and collaboration among nursing staff and physicians, Foster said.

“We know this is the best practice for our patients and babies,” she said. “I am happy to see we are nationally reaching that target.”

Leapfrog, a hospital watchdog group, began reporting on the rates four years ago.

“This is one of the most extraordinary examples of progress in healthcare that I’ve seen in my career,” said Leah Binder, the president of Leapfrog. “It shows that public reporting can galvanize change, and that saves lives.”

Leapfrog’s results are based on a survey sent to 2,500 hospitals. Participation increased from 200 hospitals last year to 969 hospitals in 2014.